Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is a New York Plaintiff's personal injury law firm specializing in automobile accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, police misconduct and all types of New York personal injury litigation.

Articles Tagged with car accident lawyer nyc

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car accident scene in ManhattanFrom the Perspective of  the New York Car Accident Attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf

In the early hours of June 11, 2025, the New York State Senate quietly gutted one of the most promising traffic safety bills in recent memory—effectively choosing to shield the state’s most reckless drivers rather than protect pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists. As NYC car accident attorneys who have represented far too many families devastated by speeding-related crashes, we find this decision both disheartening and dangerous.

The original “Stop Super Speeders” bill proposed a clear, common-sense measure: require any driver who racks up six or more speed or red-light camera tickets in a 12-month period to install a speed-limiting device in their vehicle. If enacted as drafted, this measure would have impacted more than 150,000 high-risk drivers in New York City alone—drivers whose repeated offenses clearly indicate a disregard for traffic laws and public safety.

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speed camerasAs car accident attorneys in New York City, we see firsthand the devastating consequences of reckless driving. The tragic crash in March that claimed the lives of a Brooklyn mother and her two children is just one of many heartbreaking cases where speed and repeat traffic violations played a deadly role. It is unacceptable that drivers with a long history of traffic violations — including multiple speed and red-light camera tickets — are still legally behind the wheel.

That’s why we support the New York City Department of Transportation’s urgent push for Albany to pass the long-stalled “super speeders” bill and to renew the city’s life-saving speed camera program.

The “super speeders” legislation is not extreme — it is common sense. It targets only the most dangerous drivers: those who rack up 11 or more points in two years or receive six or more speed or red-light camera tickets in a single year. These are not isolated incidents or minor infractions — they are signs of habitual, dangerous behavior. Requiring these drivers to install speed limiters is a reasonable measure that could prevent the next fatal crash.

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Tiffany Cefuni killed in BK car accidentAs Brooklyn car accident lawyers with deep experience handling hit-and-run litigation, we are horrified by the senseless death of Tiffany Cifuni, a 32-year-old woman who was fatally struck after a minor crash in Bedford-Stuyvesant last Saturday night. The incident not only highlights the risks pedestrians face immediately after collisions, it underscores the urgent need for accountability when reckless drivers choose to flee.

According to the NYPD, the tragedy unfolded just before midnight near Van Buren Street and Marcus Garvey Boulevard. Ms. Cifuni, who was in her first trimester of pregnancy, had just returned from the Beyoncé concert at MetLife Stadium. She stepped out of her Toyota 4Runner to inspect the damage after a minor collision with a 2016 Chevy Trax. That’s when the other driver allegedly accelerated, running her over and dragging her body before fleeing the wrong way down Lafayette Avenue.

The suspect’s vehicle—a maroon Chevy Trax with temporary paper plates—smashed into multiple parked cars and a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee before the driver abandoned the SUV and fled on foot. Ms. Cifuni was transported to Kings County Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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NYPD Chase LawyersOn April 2, 2025, a high-speed police chase through Upper Manhattan ended in tragedy when a stolen 2025 Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood and burst into flames. The driver, later identified as 31-year-old Francisco Andres Guzman Parra, was killed in the fiery wreck. Now, his family is demanding accountability—and legal experts are questioning whether NYPD officers violated pursuit policies that were specifically designed to prevent such outcomes.

As NYC car accident lawyers who have represented families in cases involving police chase fatalities, we understand the legal and emotional turmoil these cases leave behind. This incident, like many others, raises troubling questions about the balance between law enforcement efforts and public safety.

Family Left in Agony as Identification Delayed

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Winter Storm in NYC keep most New Yorkers indoorPedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motor vehicle occupant fatalities declined in New York City during the first quarter.

While Mayor Adams Celebrates Progress Under Vision Zero, Winter Weather May Be the Unsung Hero

Officials are celebrating a sharp and historic drop in traffic fatalities during the first quarter of 2025. According to a recent announcement by Mayor Eric Adams and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, 41 people died in traffic crashes between January and March—down from 65 during the same period last year, and the second lowest Q1 total since records began.

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Location of the Queens NYC Hit and Run Car AccidentA 78-year-old woman was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident in Murray Hill, Queens, NYC, after being struck by a gray minivan while crossing Northern Boulevard near Parsons Boulevard on March 14. The driver sped away, leaving her critically injured in the roadway.

Emergency responders rushed the victim, Jung Sook Ung, to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where she later died. Now, the NYPD’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad and the 109th Precinct in Flushing are searching for the driver responsible.

Hit-and-Run Crashes in NYC: A Growing Concern

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Imani Vance killed in a Brooklyn Car AccidentWhen an unlicensed driver gets behind the wheel, they put every pedestrian, cyclist, and passenger in danger. In Brooklyn, a family is now left grieving after an unlicensed driver, Tyree Epps, fled the scene of a devastating crash, leaving 26-year-old Imani Vance to die in the front seat of his Mercedes-Benz.

The Tragic Crash That Took a Young Life

The crash occurred on Van Sinderen Avenue in Brownsville last Thursday when Epps, speeding south in a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300, blew through a stop sign at Blake Avenue around 1 p.m. His reckless driving led to a violent collision with a school bus, sending it careening into a parked box truck. The impact left Imani Vance with severe head trauma. Instead of helping his passenger, Epps reportedly fled the scene in a taxi, leaving Vance behind.

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the bike lane on Third AvenueAs car accident lawyers practicing in New York City, we have witnessed the unfortunate consequences of traffic collisions and the severe impact they have on individuals, families, and communities. However, recent developments on Third Avenue present a hopeful narrative that underscores a truth we can all rally around: bike lanes make roadways safer for everyone.

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released data indicating that the installation of a protected bike lane on Third Avenue has resulted in a remarkable 33 percent decrease in total injuries over the past year. Even more striking, injuries to drivers and passengers in vehicles plummeted by 43 percent. These statistics are not merely numbers; they represent lives profoundly affected—or saved—by thoughtful urban planning.

As noted by DOT spokesperson Vin Barone, “DOT’s redesign of Third Avenue has significantly reduced serious injuries—whether you’re walking, biking, or in a car on the corridor.” This statement demonstrates a comprehensive view of roadway safety, one that considers all users rather than prioritizing vehicles alone.

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children going to school in NYCAs New York City car accident lawyers, we commend Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent proposal to prohibit parking within 20 feet of crosswalks in elementary school zones throughout the five boroughs. This initiative aims to enhance pedestrian safety by improving visibility for both drivers and young students, thereby reducing the risk of traffic-related accidents near schools.

Currently, New York State law mandates a 20-foot no-parking zone adjacent to crosswalks—a practice known as “daylighting”—to ensure clear sightlines at intersections. However, New York City has historically exercised a carveout, allowing it to set its own regulations regarding parking near crosswalks. The city’s existing rules prohibit parking within the crosswalk itself but permit it directly next to these pedestrian pathways, often resulting in obstructed views for both drivers and pedestrians.

Governor Hochul’s proposal seeks to align the city’s policy with the state’s standard, specifically targeting areas surrounding elementary schools. By eliminating parking within 20 feet of crosswalks in these zones, the initiative strives to create safer walking conditions for children commuting to and from school. This measure is particularly significant given that New York City is home to over 1,800 public and charter schools, many of which serve students up to the fifth grade.

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DRUNK DRIVER STOPPED BY POLICEAs the holiday season approaches, the risk of car accidents due to drunk and reckless driving significantly increases. At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we recognize the critical importance of Vision Zero initiatives to enhance public safety on New York City streets. The Adams Administration’s recent announcement of stepped-up enforcement against speeding and driving while intoxicated (DWI) during the winter holidays is a timely and necessary response to the ongoing dangers posed by impaired driving.

Heightened Enforcement to Save Lives

The NYPD, in partnership with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), has announced an aggressive campaign to target drivers who endanger others by speeding or driving under the influence. Increased patrols, speed enforcement using advanced technology, and focused DWI checkpoints will be implemented throughout the city’s busiest areas. These efforts are aimed at preventing tragedies like the July 4th crash on the Lower East Side, where an intoxicated driver killed four pedestrians.